Dispenser for a product in powder form

ABSTRACT

The dispenser ( 1 ) for a product in powder form, typically a cosmetic product, includes a body ( 2 ) forming a cavity ( 20 ) intended to contain said product in powder form and fitted with an upper aperture ( 21 ), a means ( 4 ) for applying said powder, and a cap ( 3 ) intended to seal said upper aperture ( 21 ) via an engagement means ( 11 ), and is characterised in that:  
     a) said engagement means ( 11 ) is selected in such a way that an axial and/or radial compression is exerted between said body ( 2 ) and said cap ( 3 ), and that said cavity ( 20 ) is thus typically leakproof when said dispenser ( 1 ) is closed,  
     b) said cavity ( 20 ) includes a lower part ( 22 ) and an upper part ( 23 ) separated by a plate ( 5, 24 ) integral with said body ( 2 ) and fitted with orifices ( 50, 240 ), said lower part ( 22 ) containing said product in powder form, said plate ( 5, 24 ) allowing said product to move, via said orifices ( 50, 240 ), towards said application means ( 4 ),  
     c) said application means ( 4 ) is a removable application means. Advantages: a dispenser straightforward in design, easy to miniaturise and to make leakproof.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of packaging containers or dispensers of cosmetic products, and more particularly dispensers of makeup products based on powder, typically free-running powder.

THE PRIOR ART

Cases forming powder dispensers, typically of compacted powder, are already known.

Generally speaking, these cases typically include:

a concave lid generally fitted with an inner mirror,

a concave bottom, typically fitted with a grid or intermediate support for at least one pot intended to receive said cosmetic product,

a hinge, constituting the connection component between said lid and said bottom, allowing said lid to articulate and said case to open,

a clasp or any means of locking and unlocking said lid relative to said bottom,

a means of applying said powder, typically a powder puff, typically inserted between said bottom and said mirror.

A very large number of case embodiments are known, embodiments which can relate to one or more of the constituent parts of the case, particularly to the clasp or to the opening of the case.

Thus, as far as patents in the name of the applicant are concerned, we may mention:

patent FR 2 661 080 which describes a makeup case with a compact clasp,

patent FR 2 725 958 which relates to a case with combined assisted opening and closure,

patent FR 2 737 192 which describes a case with a pivoting lid provided with an articulation with flexible lugs,

patent FR 2 755 352 which describes a case with assisted opening,

patent FR 2 755 353 which describes a case with an unlocking and pre-opening push button,

patent FR 2 794 723 which describes a case with improved pre-opening.

Dispensers of “free-running” powder, as opposed to said compacted powder, are also known, which include a brush used to apply said powder, as described in French applications nos. 9915615 and no. 0104572.

Problems Posed

Free-running powder dispensers of the prior art have a number of different drawbacks:

on the one hand, they are dispensers which generally include a brush integral with a powder holder, and which are therefore relatively complex.

on the other hand, these dispensers, largely on account of their complexity, do not lend themselves very easily to miniaturisation,

finally, largely on account of the large number of parts required in their manufacture, they are difficult to make leakproof, even though powders increasingly include volatile constituents that require leakproof dispensers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, the dispenser for a product in powder form, typically a cosmetic product, includes a body forming a cavity intended to contain said product in powder form and fitted with an upper aperture, a means of applying said powder, and a cap intended to seal said upper aperture via an engagement means, and is characterised in that:

a) said engagement means is selected in such a way that an axial and/or radial compression is exerted between said body and said cap, and that said cavity is thus typically leakproof when said dispenser is closed,

b) said cavity includes a lower part and an upper part separated by a plate integral with said body and fitted with orifices, said lower part containing said product in powder form, said plate allowing said product to move, via said orifices, towards said application means,

c) said application means is a removable application means.

The combination of means according to the invention allows the problems posed to be resolved. Indeed, on the one hand, the dispenser according to the invention therefore typically includes three parts: a body containing said powder, a cap and a means of applying said powder, resulting in fact in a dispenser of great simplicity. On the other hand, this dispenser, largely on account of this simplicity, may be made in different sizes, and particularly in sizes that are sufficiently small for said dispenser to become a so-called travel or handbag item.

Finally, the engagement between said cap and said body renders the container leakproof, insofar as the dispenser according to the invention allows an engagement of said body and cap with particularly an axial and/or radial compression between the skirts of said body and cap which can be adjusted so as to obtain the required degree of leakproofing, typically a high degree of leakproofing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1 a to 2 b relate to one and the same embodiment of the dispenser (1) according to the invention.

FIG. 1 a is an axial cross-section in the plane A-A of the dispenser (1) in FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 1 b is a side view of the dispenser (1).

FIG. 1 c is a perspective view of the dispenser (1).

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of the dispenser (1) after the cap (3) has been unscrewed.

FIG. 2 b is a view, similar to FIG. 2 a, after said application means (4) has been lifted.

FIGS. 3 a to 3 c relate to another embodiment of a dispenser (1) according to the invention.

FIG. 3 a is an axial cross-section view of the dispenser (1), similar to FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 3 b is an axial cross-section view of the application means (4) of the dispenser (1) in FIG. 3 a, along the plane B-B in FIG. 3 c.

FIG. 3 c is a view from above of the application means (4) in FIG. 3 b.

FIG. 4 a, similar to FIGS. 1 a and 3 a, relates to an embodiment of the dispenser (1) wherein, on the one hand, the cap (3) and said plate (5) form a part cast in one piece (24) with said body (2), and on the other hand, the bottom of said body includes an orifice closed by a stopper for the purpose of filling said dispenser through the bottom.

FIG. 4 b, similar to FIG. 4 a, relates to an embodiment of the dispenser (1) wherein, as in FIG. 4 a, the cap (3) forms a part cast in one piece with said body (2), conversely said plate (5) forms a part distinct from said body (2) and the bottom of said body, as in FIGS. 1 a and 3 a, does not include an orifice, said body (2) being filled through the top before said plate (5) is snapped into said body.

FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 6 b are similar to FIG. 3 a, 4 a and 4 b, and differ from them by the mode of engagement between said cap (3) and said body (2), said body including an engagement means (11), typically thread, on its inner surface.

In FIG. 5 a, said body (2) includes a thin leakproofing wall (29), whereas it is missing from the FIG. in FIG. 5 b.

In FIG. 6 b, the application means (4) includes a leakproof support (43) the peripheral edge of which is compressed between said cap (3) and said body (3) as indicated by arrows.

In FIG. 6 a, similar to the FIG. a, said cap (3) engages in a leakproof way with an upper skirt (52) of said distinct plate (5), said plate (5) including a lower skirt (53) engaging in a leakproof way with said body (2).

It should be noted that in FIGS. 3 a to 6 b, said distinct plate (5) has been shown non-hachured, so as not to overload the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the dispenser of the invention, said plate (5, 24) may form a distinct plate (5) that can be fixed to said body (2), typically by being snapped on or fitted axially, said plate (5) being fixed to said body (2), typically after said lower part (22) has been loaded with said powder.

This embodiment has been shown in FIGS. 1 a, 3 a, 4 b, 5 a, 5 b and 6.

In this embodiment, said plate (5) is inserted through the upper aperture (21) of the body (2) and is pushed until the plate (5) comes to a stop against an obstacle.

To this end, said body (2) may include an inner shoulder (25) forming a stop for said snapping-on or said axial fitting, as shown in FIGS. 1 a, 3 a, 4 b, 5 a, 6 a and 6 b.

Said plate (5) may include an outer rim (51) engaging with said inner shoulder (25). See for example FIG. 3 a.

According to another embodiment of the invention, and as shown in FIG. 4 a, said plate may be a plate (24) forming with said body (5) a part cast in one piece, said body (2) including a bottom (27) with an orifice (28) closed by a stopper (7) which can be moved to allow said lower part of said body to be filled through the bottom.

Typically, said cap (3) may include a mirror (6) fixed to its inner surface. See for example FIG. 3 a.

According to the invention, said body (2) may include a lateral skirt or wall (26) fitted, in its upper part, with an outer channel (260), and wherein said cap (3) includes a lateral skirt or wall (30) engaging with said outer channel (260) , in such a way that there is typically a surface continuity and a linear extension between said body (2) and said cap (3) when said dispenser (1) is closed. See for example FIG. 4 b.

But, as shown for example in FIG. 5 a, said body (2) may include a lateral skirt or wall (26) fitted with an inner channel (261) and wherein said cap (3) includes a lateral skirt or wall (30), typically fitted with an outer channel (301), engaging with said inner channel (261), in such a way that there is a surface continuity and a linear extension between said body (2) and said cap (3) when said dispenser (1) is closed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 a, 4 b and 5 a, said body (2) may include a thin wall (29) engaging, typically in a leakproof way, with said application means (4) and/or said cap (3), by radial compression.

It might also engage by axial compression with a cap (3) exerting said axial compression when typically it is screwed onto said body (2). This variant has not been shown in a figure.

As shown in the figures, said cap (3) may include a typically plane dome (31). But the invention is not restricted to one particular type of dome; indeed, said dome could be rounded, knowing that the mirror (6) may be fixed to or snapped into any type of dome.

According to the invention, the combination of essential means of the dispenser does not impose on said dispenser (1) any given outer shape.

Thus, by way of example, and as shown in FIGS. 1 a to 2 b, said lateral skirt or wall of said body (26) and said cap (30) may be truncated cone shaped, said cap (3) having a diameter that is typically larger than that of said body (2).

As shown in the figures, said body (2) may include a typically plane bottom (27). However, since the dispensers (1) may be so-called nomad dispensers (1) from their capacity for being carried in a handbag, and since they do not therefore have to be placed in a vertical position on a support, the bottom (27), whether it is formed by said body (2) itself, as shown in FIG. 4 b, or it is formed by a stopper (7) as shown in FIG. 4 a, may take any shape, and possibly be rounded in shape.

According to the invention, said application means (4) may include an application material (41) of elasticity and thickness selected in such a way that, when said dispenser (1) is closed, said application material (41) is set against said plate (5, 24), and that it typically seals said orifices (50, 240).

Said removable application means may be a powder puff, as shown in FIG. 1 a.

As shown in FIGS. 2 b, and 3 a to 3 c, said application means (4) may include, in its upper part, a manual grip means or a panel (40), in such a way that, on the one hand said mirror (6) is not in contact with said application material (41) able to contain said powder, and that on the other hand, said application means (4) is able to be gripped in the hand and handled without contact with said application material, so as to prevent the mirror or the fingers from getting dirty in any way. Said panel (40) additionally makes it possible to offer a large application surface relative to a traditional powder puff a good part of which is used to grip it in the hand.

As shown in FIGS. 3 a to 5 b and 6 b, said application material (41) includes, in its upper part, a typically flexible layer (42), or a support (43)—see FIG. 6 b, forming a barrier to the volatile elements of said product, typically a metallised layer or support, said layer (42) or said support (43) including a peripheral edge (420, 430) typically engaging in a leakproof way with said upper part (23) of said body, and possibly with said cap (3), when said dispenser (1) is closed.

As already mentioned, said dispenser may take any shape.

Typically, and as shown in the figures, said body (2) and said cap (3) may be cylindrical in shape, and wherein said dispenser (1) is of axial symmetry and has, when closed, the ratio of H to D of between 0.85 and 1.25, H and D denoting the height and the diameter respectively of said closed dispenser, with H being between 15 mm and 150 mm, and typically between 30 mm and 60 mm in the case of so-called nomad dispensers.

As can be seen in FIG. 2 b, said orifices (50, 240) may form concentric circle arcs.

According to the invention, said body (2) and said cap (3) may be formed of parts moulded in a plastic material that, particularly by their nature and thickness, provide leakproof packaging for said product.

As shown in FIGS. 1 a, 2 a, 2 b, 5 a to 6 b, said engagement means (11) may be by screwing, said body (2) and said cap (3) including screw threads (230, 301). See for example FIGS. 2 a and 5 b.

As shown in FIGS. 3 a, 4 a and 4 b, said engagement means (11) may be a snap-on means (111) typically formed by raised elements engaging with concave elements, some (231) carried by said body (2), the others (303) carried by said cap (3).

As shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, said body and said cap may form a part cast in one piece that includes a flexible fastening tab (12) and wherein said engagement means (11) is typically a snap-on means.

As shown in FIGS. 3 a, 4 a, 4 b, 5 a and 6 a, said cap (3), and typically said lateral skirt or wall (30) of said cap, may include a leakproof radial rib (304) typically engaging with said lateral wall (26) or said upper part (23) of said body (2), by radial compression, when said dispenser is closed, so as to form a leakproof contact of the torus/cylinder type.

EMBODIMENT EXAMPLES

All the figures constitute examples of embodiments of dispensers (1) according to the invention.

Dispensers have been made that are truncated cone shaped as in FIGS. 1 a to 2 b. See FIG. 1 a for their dimensions.

Dispensers have been made that are cylindrical as in FIGS. 3 a to 6 b. These dispensers were 42.5 mm in diameter and 53 mm in height.

These dispensers were made by moulding thermoplastic material.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The invention on the one hand allows cost-effective and leakproof packaging for any type of powder, and on the other hand makes it possible to offer a good alternative to conventional cases for packaging powder in the form of a compacted block. List of reference numbers Dispenser 1 Axial direction 10 Means of engagement between 2 and 3 11 Screw threads 110 Snap-on means 111 Tab for fastening together 2 and 3 12 Body 2 Cavity 20 Upper aperture 21 Lower part of 20 22 Upper part of 20 23 Threads 230 Snap-on means 231 Plate 24 Orifices 240 Stop for 5 - inner shoulder 25 Snap-on means - rib 25′ Lateral skirt or wall 26 Outer channel for 3 260 Inner channel for 3 261 Bottom 27 Lower orifice closed by 7 28 Thin leakproof wall 29 Cap 3 Lateral skirt or wall 30 Inner channel 300 Outer channel 301 Threads 110 302 Snap-on means 303 Leakproof radial rib 304 Dome 31 Application means 4 Manual grip means - panel 40 Application means 41 Upper leakproof layer 42 Peripheral edge 420 Leakproof support 43 Peripheral edge 430 Distinct plate 5 Orifices 50 Outer Rim 51 Upper skirt 52 Lower skirt 53 Mirror 6 Stopper to close 28 7 

1. Dispenser (1) for a product in powder form, typically a cosmetic product, including a body (2) forming a cavity (20) intended to contain said product in powder form and fitted with an upper aperture (21), a means (4) for applying said powder, and a cap (3) intended to seal said upper aperture (21) via an engagement means (11), characterized in that: a) said engagement means (11) is selected in such a way that an axial and/or radial compression is exerted between said body (2) and said cap (3), and that said cavity (20) is thus typically leakproof when said dispenser (1) is close, b) said cavity (20) includes a lower part (22) and an upper part (23) separated by a plate (5,24) integral with said body (2) and fitted with orifices (50, 240), said lower part (22) containing said product in powder form, said orifices (50, 240), towards said application means (4), c) said application means (4) is a removable application means, d) said application means (4) includes an application material (41) of elasticity and thickness selected in such a way that, when said dispenser (1) is closed, said application material (41) is set against said plate (5, 24), sand that it typically seals said orifices (50, 240).
 2. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said plate (5, 24) forms a distinct plate (5) that can be fixed to said body (2), typically by being snapped on or fitted axially, said plate (5) being fixed to said body (2), typically by being to said body (2), typically after said lower part (22) has been loaded with said powder.
 3. Dispenser according to claim 2 wherein said body (2) includes an inner shoulder (25) forming a stop for said snapping-on or said axial fitting.
 4. Dispenser according to claim 3 wherein said plate (5) includes an outer rim (51) engaging with said inner shoulder (25).
 5. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said plate is a plate (24) forming with said body (5) a part cast in one piece, said body (2) including a bottom (27) with an orifice (28) closed by a stopper (7) which can be moved to allow said lower part of said body to be filled through the bottom.
 6. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said cap (3) includes a mirror (6) fixed to its inner surface.
 7. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said body (2) includes a lateral skirt or wall (26) fitted, in its upper part, with an outer channel (260), and wherein said cap (3) includes a lateral skirt or wall (30) engaging with said outer channel (261) and wherein said cap (3) includes a lateral skirt or wall (30), engaging with said outer channel (260), in such a way that there is typically a surface continuity and a linear extension between said body (2) and said cap (3) when said dispenser (1) is closed.
 8. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said body (2) includes a lateral skirt or wall (26) fitted with an inner channel (261) and wherein said cap (3) includes a lateral skirt or wall (30), typically fitted with an outer channel (301), engaging with said inner channel (261), in such a way that there's a surface continuity and a linear extension between said body (2) and said cap (3) when said dispenser (1) is closed.
 9. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said body (2) includes a thin wall (29) engaging, typically in a leakproof way, with said application means (4) and/or cap (3), by radial compression.
 10. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said cap (3) includes a typically plane dome (31).
 11. Dispenser according to claim 7 wherein said lateral skirt or wall of said body (26) and said cap (30) is truncated cone shaped, said cap (3) having a diameter that is typically larger than that of said body (2).
 12. Dispenser according to claim 10 wherein said body (2) includes a typically plane bottom (27).
 13. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said removable application means is a powder puff.
 14. Dispenser according to claim 13 wherein said application means (4) includes, in its upper part, a manual grip means or a panel (40), in such a way that, on the one hand said mirror (6) is not in contact with said application material (41) able to contain said powder, and that on the other hand, said application means (4) is able to be gripped in the hand and handled without contact with said application material, so as to prevent the mirror or the fingers from getting dirty in any way.
 15. dispenser according to claim 13 wherein said application material (41) includes, in its upper part, a typically flexible layer (42), or a support (43), forming a barrier to the volatile elements of said product, typically a metallised layer or support, said layer (42) or said support (43) including a peripheral edge (420, 430) typically engaging in a leakproof way with said upper part (23) of said body, and possibly with said cap (3), when said dispenser (1) is closed.
 16. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said body (2) and said cap (3) are cylindrical in shape, and wherein said dispenser (1) is of axial symmetry and has, when closed, a ratio of H to D of between 0.85 and 1.25, H and D denoting the height and the diameter respectively of said closed dispenser, with H being between 15 mm and 150 mm, and typically between 30 mm and 60 mm in the case of so-called nomad dispensers.
 17. Dispenser according to claim 16 wherein said orifices (50, 240) form concentric circle arcs.
 18. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said body (2) and said cap (3) are formed of parts moulded in a plastic material that, particularly by their nature and thickness, provide leakproof packaging for said product.
 19. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said engagement means (11) is by screwing, said body (2) and said cap (3) including screw threads (230, 301).
 20. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said engagement means (11) is by snapping-on.
 21. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said body and said cap form a part cast in one piece that includes a flexible fastening tab (12) and wherein said engagement means (11) is typically a snap-on means.
 22. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said cap (3), and typically said lateral skirt or wall (30) includes a leakproof radial rib (304) typically engaging with said lateral wall (26) or said upper part (23) of said body (2), by radial compression, when said dispenser is closed, so as to form a leakproof contact of the torus/cylinder type. 